Urbanista Manila Living in Style

Archive for July, 2009

We have balikbayans for our guests. My brother-in-law’s uncle and his son came back from the states for their usual biennial Philippine trip.
Tito Bong, the uncle, wants his son, Ian, to have his college here in the Philippines for economic reasons.
Not forgetting his roots, Tito Bong orients Ian who was born and raised in the US to Philippine culture and even speaks with him in Filipino most of the time which I find admirable.
When they arrived, there is a funeral beside a bakery inform of our house.
Ian was wandering what was the set up is for (the tents, chairs, tables and lights) and Tito Bong jokingly told him that it is a party ad they will be getting tickets for them to get in.
The following morning, Tito Bong asked Ian to buy pandesal at the bakery and when he found out that the set up beside the bakery is actually a funeral he commented with great disgust that it is so gross to eat bread baked in a shop beside a funeral.
We just said, welcome to the third world! You have so much to learn about the 411 of living and surviving in Manila.

My sister, my brother-in-law, their three daughters and I were watching Ouija, a local horror flick starring Judy Ann Santos and Jolina Magdangal. I am not watching horror or suspense films because they surely scare the hell out of me but for some reason, I decided to sit with them and enjoy a weekend night.
I was teasing my toddler niece by screaming “boo” at her. She cried for a while and looked at me angrily. Then she looked over my shoulder as if she’s seeing something and said in a fearful fashion: Tita, Tita!
That gave me goosebumps and I ran towards them. It cracked my sister and brother-in-law up. I also ended up laughing at myself.

I came from my hospital duty and reached home to snatch some sleep at 10:00 am at past 1:00 pm I was awakened my loud rain and wind sounds. I curled up in my bed for almost an hour then I decided to call in for emergency leave.
Our place in Sampaloc does not get flooded but the road leading to the office or any other establishment is.
While the rain has stopped by 5:00 pm, I am glad to have stayed at home. I pigged out in between bonding times with my nieces. I wish I have a cup of hot coco in my hand to keep me and my system warm and perky.

I had facial waxing and eyebrow threading services at Lay Bare waxing salon yesterday. This time, I tried their Banawe branch which I find more spacious and cozy. The treatment cubicles are separated by walls and not curtains (the Ybardolaza branch looks like an ER set up) although you can still hear the other patients and attendants in the next cubicle.
The owner was there who was very accommodating.
Both the procedures were not as painful as before although I was asked again to pull down my lid when I had my eyebrow pruned. The attendant was very friendly too friendly that she’s talked a lot. She meticulously waxed my face and threaded all the missed out hair on my upper and lower lips and around the nose area.
I am really pleased with the service so I guess I found my waxing haven which is very near to my home and work.
I just have to keep in mind to tip the attendant next time because it really slipped my mind.

After so many months of taking rainchecks, my close friends and I have finally met up.
I dunno if the nature is against this most awaited opportunity for us to catch up on so many things because it rained so hard and it took me and my officemate forever to get a cab from the office to we decided to get a jeepney ride to Delta and from there we hoped to get a cab or if luck was not really on our side, a jeepney to Center Stage on Timog cor. Morato.
Actually, I had to meet them up at 8:00 p.m. because I had to attend our team’s send away party (our team has been dissolved – boohooo!) at Center Stage.
We were there at past 8:00 p.m. already so I had to stay there until past 9:00 p.m. My friend Leo did not buy my drama that I was still on the street haling a cab, all soaked up. He just texted me that he already found a parking space and it is hard to find a spot so he cannot collect me. Oh men!
Dine and dash was my drama that night.
Ava was cursing me because they have been at Kozui (which is just a block away from Center Stage) since 7:00 p.m.
I finally managed to sneak out and meet them up and not surprisingly, they’re done eating.
I was actually full already. Full of grease in my stomach because all I ate were onion rings, french fries and greasy barbecue at Center Stage.
Waiting on the table at Kozui are tempura and some chicken dishes that I did not even touch because I felt nauseated so Ava just got me the Green Tea which is the resto’s claim to fame. I did not like the taste though or maybe because my palate has been polluted already that night that I was not able to feel gastronomic satisfaction.
I like the place. A Japanese resto with a modern and healthy twist. They offer the freshest and organic dishes and treats that is very ideal for a person who needs (which is the operative word) to shove down low fat and low salt diet down her throat.
I swear I will be back there to sample on its dishes.
After less than an hour, we moved to Cafe Breton where we had our ever favorite desserts to satisfy our sweet tooth’s cravings. I have my Cafe Ligieous, Ava had her Vanilla Milk shake and Leo had his Nuttella Crepe.
I bare touched my Cafe Ligieous because I really felt nauseated and I did not even dig into the Nuttella Crepe. A few minutes after, I went to the bathroom and threw up what I have eaten at Center Stage. I felt relieved after but I did not have the appetite to finish my sweet treat. Too bad.
We called the night off before midnight and I really had a blast except for the stomach upset.

These bundles of joy are now sweeping the entire world.
The latest viral video was produced for by Evian and altthough it is obviously computer manipulated, they still bring smile to anyone’s face.
There is a guaranteed absence of child labor here.
Check them out on YouTube and start giggling at these little tikes.

I know this is so yesterday but it is still in time for the 4th of July celebration eh?
I just stumbled upon this heart warming (read: hot) photo.
He finds no excuse not to perform his duty to his country.
Man in boxers. Hot
Man in pink. Hot!
Man in pink boxers. Super hot!
Man on duty in pink boxers. Flaming hot!

He is Army Spec. Zachary Boyd, a 19-year old 2007 graduate of Keller Central High School.
According to news, he was in his sleeping quarters when the Taliban attacked in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan. He then rushed to a defensive position in his helmet, vest and boxers.

At least he found time to put on the protective vest and helmet before lining up to fire his gun.

The red shirt he was wearing was from Woolley’s Frozen Custard on Beach Street in Fort Worth and in honor of his heroic act, he got lifetime free treats from Woolley’s. Sweet!